Robots. They are great. Merriam-Webster's defines robots as "a machine that resembles a living creature in being capable of moving independently (as by walking or rolling on wheels) and performing complex actions (such as grasping and moving objects)". So, yeah. Why are we so fascinated with robots? This is, of course, assuming you are fascinated with robots and why wouldn't you be? But it taps into a lot of different aspects of curiosity. Mankind can make life, certainly, but can we craft it? Or can we make a tool with a certain level of autonomy that can replicate what a living thing is capable of. And, of course, stories with AI raises questions about creatures that might have a radically different way of thinking or life experience. But most importantly, robots are cool because they shoot lasers out of their eyes. Pew pew!

So now we are looking to celebrate our favourite robots with a list. So let's do that.

Now, for you first timers, here's how our very easy activity works:

HOW IT WORKS:

Create a list of your favorite robot, each numbered from 1 to 25 like so:

1. Your favorite robot.2. Your second favorite robot.3. Your third most favorite robot.And so on until you get to #25.

Once the list is complete, send it to me via Personal Message, not via this thread.

When all submissions are in, I'll score them. Your #1 choice gets 25 points, your #2 choice gets 24, all the way down to your #25 choice, which gets 1. I add up the points, and then rank the robots in a list here in this forum for your enjoyment. Should you submit a list of less than 25 items, then your points are reduced accordingly. A list with only 5 entries only gets 5 points for the number one choice, so the more you can think of, the better.

Qualifications:1) It has to be a robot. Androids and synthezoids and stuff life that count. Cyborgs or computers not so much. Or, at the very least, said cyborg should be MUCH more of a robot than a person. Like, Darth Vader definitely doesn't count. The Terminator, which is a robot with a flesh covering, totally does. Use your best judgment.

2) This can include real world robots, too. So car-making arms and roombas count.

3) What about people disguised as robots? Eh.... Only if it is a defining character trait. Seems not in the spirit to vote for Homer Simpson because there was one episode where he disguised himself as a robot. But if there's a character who has been often disguised as a robot you can vote for them or their robot guise, guys.

4) Mechs? Those things that are like robots that you ride around in like a vehicle? Totally counts.

I hope that covers everything and that I'm not forgetting anything. The due date is April 22nd!

I see Robocop as more human but I'm willing to accept him, because I'm sure there are people who disagree with my assessment. It's a "follow your heart" kind of deal.

Specifying Terminators: If you just say "the Terminator", I'll assume you mean the T-800. Since technically, different T-800 appear through the series, I'd just lump them all in together.

As for the Metal Men: I'd rather not take teams. If it is a "type", (BTW, I was typing this before CJones asked his question) I'd take them as one (such as the T-800s or the Sentinels). You can also include a type and a representitive from that type (a Cylon and... look I never watched the new Battlestar Galactica, but one of the characters who turns out to be a Cylon. My preference for a team of robots like the Metal Men is individuals, but I'm willing to accept them as a group.

I tried to stick mostly with 100% robots... but... on my list you might find an android here or there... The problem wasn't so much compiling a list as it was putting them in order from least favorite to most favorite. I've always been a big fan of robots since I was a little kid. I never really felt scared or intimidated by Robots, whether they were real life bots or robots on the TV or silver screen. Well, to be fair I might have been a little intimidated by Hector from Saturn 3. Oh yeah... and of course one other whose name will remain a mystery until he's either been revealed on the LOC or when it comes time to reveal my own personal list.